Idaho Rocky Mountain Ranch

Work Hard & Play Hard in the Sawtooth Mountains!

Idaho Rocky Mountain Ranch is one of the West’s finest guest Ranches, providing professional, personalized service to 44-50 guests who stay in either our unique, well-appointed log cabins or the main lodge, which is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Located in Idaho's Sawtooth National Recreation Area - an outdoor enthusiast’s wonderland with 40 peaks over 10,000 feet, more than 300 high alpine lakes and 750 miles of trails.

About Idaho Rocky Mountain Ranch

As employers, our mission is to make the Idaho Rocky Mountain Ranch as good a place to work, as it is to visit. Management’s goal is to hire and employ honest, fair-minded workers and then treat those workers honestly and fairly. While we all recognize that work is work, working at the Ranch should be a rewarding, positive experience of common goals, unity of spirit, and cheerful, polite, and conscientious concern for guests and co-workers.

There is boundless opportunity for hiking, biking, fishing, climbing, white water rafting, and other water sports, ghost town visits, photography, and scenic drives in the area. We are surrounded by more wilderness than anywhere in the lower 48 States.

The Employee Experience

The memories and friendships you make while working at the Idaho Rocky Mountain Ranch will last a lifetime.

Read Gabi and Erica's stories on how working at the Ranch changed their lives. 

Ideal Candidate

If you are hardworking, energetic, and want to make a positive commitment to the excellent service standards of our Ranch, in one of the country’s most spectacular recreation areas, we welcome your application. The Ranch fosters a respectful environment where all are comfortable working, recreating, and enjoying the camaraderie of fellow employees and guests. We’re committed to an authentic team approach, working cooperatively to create a positive environment for both staff and our guests.

Employment Season and Roles 

The Summer 2024 guest season is June 14 - September 18. The 2024 employee season is June 6 - September 21. Employees must be available to work our entire season. Some key positions begin earlier or can last longer. All applicants must be available to work weekdays, weekends, holidays, AM and PM shifts. Employees must be willing to work split shifts and to follow house rules for on-campus housing. A room and board package is included in your wage. Seasonal employees are not permitted to bring pets. You will work approximately a 5 day/40-hour workweek.

Room and Board

Seasonal Ranch employment compensation includes:

  • An hourly wage
  • 1.5 time pay for overtime hours
  • The tip pool to be distributed based on hours worked
  • Room and board

The room and board package includes three nutritious, healthy and varied meals per day. For those employees on special diets, there will be food to accommodate your needs each meal. There is a refrigerator for crew use that often has other food options designated for the crew.

Please note: The Ranch does not offer a kitchen for employees to cook their own meals. There is limited space available in the crew refrigerator for food purchased for your personal use.

The Housing provided with the room and board package is in dormitory-style accommodations. A few private rooms are available, with most rooms shared by 2 or 3 people. You must provide your bedding, towels and personal necessities.

There are washers and dryers available free of charge for employees living on the Ranch.

Off-ranch housing options in the area are limited, but some rentals and limited RV hookups are available. Room and board is a combined package; there is not a separate package for room or board.

Quiet hour on the Ranch is at 10:30 pm every night.

If you would like to learn more about our guest ranch, please visit www.idahorocky.com/ or check out our employment page for additional info on working at the Ranch.  

Employee Perks

Compensation includes an hourly wage, tips and room and board. You'll work approximate a 5 day/40 hour work week. 

On the Ranch, you may enjoy the Ranch’s natural hot springs swimming pool, stocked catch-and-release fishing pond with paddleboat, the Salmon River running through the lower Ranch property, horseshoes, hiking and mountain biking. Many employees in the past have enjoyed camping and backpacking on their days off.

Getting Here and Getting Around

Our 870-acre Ranch is located in the heart of the Sawtooth National Recreation Area, 9 miles south of Stanley on Highway 75 between mile markers 180 and 181. The Ranch is 50 miles north of Sun Valley, 130 miles east of Boise, and 125 miles north of Twin Falls, Idaho.

Stanley is a small town where you may purchase most necessities. Challis or Ketchum/Sun Valley, which are an hour to an hour and a half drive from the Ranch, are the closest larger shopping areas.

The altitude here at the Ranch is 6,600 feet. We can have lovely, hot summer days into the 80s, but on average have only 30 frost-free nights a year. Please be prepared for cold mornings and evenings, as well as our warmer days.

There is no public transportation to or within Stanley and the Sawtooth National Recreation Area. The closest airport is Sun Valley; the closest major airport is Boise. Sun Valley Express (www.sunvalleyexpress.com) has daily service from the Boise airport to various locations in Ketchum/Sun Valley, from which we can assist with transportation. You may also contact Sawtooth Transportation or Caldwell Transportation for shuttles from the airport to the Ranch.

We strongly recommend that you have some form of transportation – auto or bicycle – so that you may fully enjoy the area.

For Fun

The Sawtooth Valley is located within the Sawtooth National Recreation Area (SNRA). This natural playground has over 700 miles of trails, 40 peaks over 10,000 feet and over 300 alpine lakes. Here's your chance to experience this wilderness on foot to extraordinary vistas, summits and lakes. Whether you’re out there for the day or a multi-day adventure, you’re bound to have greater respect for nature.  

The International Dark-Sky Association approved a dark sky reserve over the SNRA. The Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve is the first of its kind in the United States. This summer is your chance to stargaze at pristine night skies in a beautiful, uncluttered setting.

How to Apply

Are you ready to have unlimited moments of elevation this summer?  If yes, please complete our online application. Please no resumes without applications.

If you have any questions, please contact Ryan at info@idahorocky.com.  We look forward to hearing from you!


Contact Idaho Rocky Mountain Ranch